26 



THE FUNCTIONS OF THE UVULA. 



examination of the other cases, namely: that this prominence, whose ex- 

 istence 1 had known for some time, though I had never thought of assign- 



FIG. 4. Antero-posterior section of the hard palate (hp.) and tlie soft palate (sp.), shewing tlie posi- 

 tion of the uvula resting on the base of the tongue (t.); Ep. epiglottis ; E. t. mouth of Eustachian tube. 



ing to it any function or use, was of as much importance in vocalization as, 

 if not more than the uvula itself; so that, while seeking for the function of 

 this grape-shaped appendage, I discovered a new organ, and ascertained its 

 function at the same time. 



During the vocalization of sounds that passed through the nose alone, 

 the whole free border of the soft palate rested on the base of the tongue 

 (Fig. 4), the uvula was not in sight at any time. During the vocalization 

 of sounds that passed through the mouth alone, the soft palate was raised, 

 and about 4"' of its lower border was pressed against the posterior wall of 

 the pharynx (Fig. 5). 



FIG. 5. Antero-posterior section of the hard palat^ (hp.) and the soft palate (sp.) showing the posi- 

 tion of the velum closing the avenue to the pharyngo-nasal cavity ; U. uvula ; t. tongue ; Ep. epiglottis. 



From repeated inspections made while the velum was in each of these 

 two positions, it appeared that all the sounds were uttered without the aid 

 of either the uvula or the azygos prominence. 



